Usual Disclaimers apply. I do not own Suikoden, Konami do. So bah.
This story is mostly about Andrew, although Elaine and Avara cameo - I decided that it wasn't enough to warrant putting them in the Chapter Title as it's not really about them this time.
---
Andrew's Story - Chapter Fourteen
Tragedy Strikes
(Location – Muse City)
---
It had been a couple of days since Jowy had escaped from the Highland Camp. There was still a lot of tension surrounding Muse City, something Andrew was quick to pick up on everytime he walked around the city he grew up in. Even Doctor Huan commented on that as Andrew visited to get his arm checked out after Elaine's vase throwing incident.
Andrew remembered the scene...
"How did this happen? It's going to hurt for a few days, but luckily it's not broken."
"....I'd rather not say how it happened Doctor."
"Well, I won't pry. But I fear I will be working extremely hard soon."
"You mean the War don't you?"
"It's coming soon, you can sense it in the air, and in the people."
"A sad turn of events..."
"Indeed it is Andrew. I'll just bandage your arm for support, just don't overwork it."
"Thank you Doctor."
On the whole, Andrew was glad he didn't tell Doctor Huan about Elaine. He hadn't told anyone, actually. Elaine had been somewhat distant since her nightmare, and not just to him. But to Riou, Nanami, Jowy...everyone in fact. There was something else bothering him. Where the hell had Kahri got to? It had been a few days now since he disappeared, he hated to admit it - but Andrew missed the spatula wielding kid. He tried to talk about this to Elaine, who said nothing and walked away.
Oh Elaine, I just wish you would at least talk to me...
Andrew's walkabout had led him to the entrance to Jowston Hill. The famous site where Master Genkaku and Han Cunningham had their infamous battle. Andrew remembered his father telling him the story; it was practically the only bonding that Andrew had with his father. He sighed at the memory and turned around...
Only to see Riou, Nanami and Jowy standing behind him. He let out a small breath of surprise, they had certainly been quiet as they had approached. Andrew looked at the kids inquisitively.
"Sightseeing are we? You know this place has a lot of history..."
"Actually," Nanami butted in...again, "We heard something was going on up there, and we were a bit curious..."
"So you decided to charge in and see what was going on huh?" Andrew replied. He looked thoughtful for a minute, "I didn't know anything was happening in the conference hall today...hmm, I think I'll go up there too."
It might take my mind of things...
It suddenly occured to Andrew that the story his father had told him about Genkaku might be the same one Lady Anabelle was going to tell Riou and Jowy. He decided not to bring it up though, as it should be Lady Anabelle that told them.
"You say this place had a lot of history...what did you mean?" Jowy asked.
"Well, it's where a famous duel took place...between Han Cunningham and..." He turned to face Riou and Nanami, "Your Grandpa Genkaku."
"Wow! Really? Grandpa Genkaku was here?" Nanami really looked excited.
Andrew nodded, "Lady Anabelle knows more about it than I do, I'm sure she'll tell you the story."
Andrew couldn't help noticing that Jowy shuddered a tiny bit when he mentioned Anabelle's name. Andrew dismissed it, I guess he's a bit intimidated by her...I can see why though.
Andrew stopped at the monument. "This is where they duelled. It is a large part of Muse history, every child is told the story of the duel between Han and Genkaku. But again, it's better that you hear it from Lady Anabelle."
Jowy shuddered again, this time Andrew wasn't so quick to dismiss it. "Are you okay Jowy? You keep shuddering. Are you cold or something?"
Jowy just looked away, "I'm fine." He said gruffly, before walking on towards the conference hall.
Andrew looked at Riou and Nanami. "Have either of you two noticed Jowy acting...well...a bit strangely lately?"
Nanami shook her head. But Riou thought about it. "Well...I don't know if this counts, but once I walked past his room at Leona's and...he was talking to himself."
Andrew thought about what Riou had said. "Are you sure there was no-one else in the room, Riou?"
Riou shook his head. Andrew looked really concerned now. "He just hasn't been the same since he got back from the Highland Camp...he never even told us how he escaped. I think he's up to something."
Nanami let out a little laugh. "Come on Andrew, it's Jowy! He's not the plotting kind! Just be glad he's okay, okay?"
Nanami followed after Jowy. Andrew's look of concern didn't dissipate. Riou walked on after Nanami, looking back at Andrew over his shoulder. "I think you might be right somehow..." He said sadly, before walking on.
At least I'm not the only one who noticed.
Andrew ran after them. Still curious as to what was happening today. I assume it involves the war...what a sad thing to assume...
He stopped when he saw the kids talking to someone. Taking a look, Andrew saw that it was Viktor. He approached them, knowing Viktor was probably his best chance at getting in to this war council.
Viktor was talking when he saw Andrew, "Oh, so you're here to watch too are you? No problem, let's go in."
The guard, however, had other ideas. "No one may enter the conference."
Viktor smiled. "Relax, my name is Viktor. I'm sure..."
The guard stopped him. "I'll need to see some identification."
Viktor's smile faded. "Surely my face is adequate ID?"
The guard shook his head. "Sorry sir."
Viktor growled.
"You're not going to try your, ahem, trick again are you Viktor?"
They all turned to see Flik approach. Viktor decided to ignore him. But the guard didn't.
"Oh...oh my, is it really you..."Blue Lightning" Flik?"
Flik was a little taken aback, "Uh...yeah, that's me."
The guard stepped out of the way. "Of course, go right in Lord Flik."
Flik led Viktor, Riou, Nanami, Jowy and Andrew into the hallway. Viktor looked grumpy.
"How come she recognised your face but not mine?"
Flik shrugged. "How should I know?"
Another guard stood before them. "The conference is about to start, please take your seats."
They were led to seats that had a great view. Front row centre even. Viktor looked pleased at that.
"Ah, we're going to see and hear everything that goes on!"
Andrew looked slightly dismayed. "So it is a war council then...isn't it?"
Flik nodded sadly. "Yes. Lady Anabelle has called upon all the heads of state...Lord Gorudo of the Matilda Knights, Lord Makai of Two River City, Lady Teresa of Greenhill, Lord Gustav of Tinto and Lord Granmeyer of South Window are all going to be in attendance."
Andrew's slight dismay turned to full on dismay. "It's getting serious then."
The conference didn't go well at all...the city leaders seemed to intent on arguing about Rice offerings and previous wards...nobody seemed to like the idea of deploying troops, especially Lord Gustav. It all seemed hopeless when a clerk of Lady Anabelle's ran in. He whispered something to Jess before running out again.
Jess quickly relayed the message. "It seems the Highland Army have massacred our border guard, they are on their way here now it seems."
This seemed to help. With the knowledge that the Highland Army were on the way, the city leaders seemed a bit more co-operative.
The conference soon ended. Leaving Viktor, Flik, Riou, Nanami, Jowy and Andrew standing in the hall.
Viktor was the first to speak. "That was exciting...come on, let's get back to Leona's place."
Andrew said nothing the whole way back to Leona's. He was deep in thought.
Those poor guards...massacred...and Highland are on their way here now. Muse is really in trouble now.
They reached the tavern, and were a little surprised to see Anabelle there, talking to a girl in glasses Andrew hadn't met before.
Viktor walked up to Anabelle. "You did well up there."
"Never mind that now Viktor. I need your help." Anabelle replied.
Viktor nodded grimly. "What can we do?"
"Lord Gorudo is despatching some of the Matilda Knights to help us. But they won't make be here for about two days. We need you to slow down the Highland Army until they get here."
The girl with the glasses looked deep in thought. "Well...if it's just slowing them down, I think I can buy you two days."
Viktor nodded. "Okay Apple, you come up with the strategy. Leona will take care of the kids."
Jowy approached Anabelle. "Lady Anabelle...let us fight with you."
Nanami looked shocked. "Jowy!"
Riou stepped in between Nanami and Jowy. "No, we want to fight with you Lady Anabelle. Please let us."
Andrew walked up to Anabelle. "You can't let them..." He stopped, and shrugged, "oh, what do I know...they're more than capable. Please let us help Muse City. I grew up here too, I want to help."
"Oh fine....we'll help too." Nanami said, giving up.
Anabelle looked a bit unsure..."Um...oh, alright. But please be careful. Oh, that reminds me. Can you come to my office tomorrow after the battle...I promised to tell you about Master Genkaku after all..."
Anabelle left the tavern. Viktor scratched the back of his head in confusion. "Huh...well, you'd better get some rest for tomorrow then. But if things get too hot, you're to get out of the battle. Understood?"
They nodded, before going to bed. Andrew watched them go. He turned to Viktor. "Didn't you want them to stay out of the war..."
Viktor shrugged. "I gotta give it to them...they're stubborn kids."
Flik grinned. "Just like you..."
Viktor acknowledged Flik's joke with a grunt. Andrew decided to leave before things got out of hand. He walked up to his room, but he stopped outside Elaine's room. He thought about going in, but decided against it.
Last time she threw a vase at me...next time it might be that knife of hers...Guess it's never gonna happen now...
---
The next morning was tense. The citizens of Muse stayed in their houses that day. Meanwhile back in Leona's bar the troops were being briefed by General Viktor...
"Okay, all we gotta do is slow down the Highland Army long enough for the other cities' armies to get here. Now we should have some additional support from the Matilda Knights, who are arriving earlier than we thought. Let's go and kick their Highland as...."
He looked at Riou, Jowy and Nanami and stopped himself in time. "Highland scum!" He said instead.
Flik nodded. "Is everyone ready?"
There was a chorus of "Yes sir!" as they headed out to defend Muse City!
---
Andrew stared across the open fields. The Highland Army was within sight now, the two armies inching closer and closer together. Andrew already had his sword out, ready to defend his city. He looked across at everyone else, who all had their weapons ready. A sense of patriotic pride overwhelmed Andrew for some reason. He didn't see Elaine on the battlefield at all. He didn't know whether to feel good about that or bad. One of the scouts they had sent out returned quite quickly.
"It's Solon Jhee sir! And Seed and Culgan are there too."
Viktor sighed. "Great...that's all we needed."
"Oh yes, nearly forgot - there was a group of mercenaries too...led by a man called Gilbert."
Flik turned to face Viktor. "Could it be..."
Viktor nodded. "Who else could it be...Flik, try to convince Gilbert to switch sides when they get here."
Flik nodded. "Good idea...can't believe you thought of it."
Viktor said nothing. He grunted as he took his sword and raised it high in the air, the signal to charge.
Andrew looked back at Riou, Nanami and Jowy. "Nervous yet?"
They all shook their heads, and they charged in to face the Highland Army. They soon clashed, and the battle truly began. Andrew kept looking at Riou and the others as he fought the soldiers, luckily the three kids were more than capable of taking care of themselves as they began. With a considerable amount of worry lifted, Andrew turned his attention onto the attacking Highlanders. He deftly attacked with his sword, showing great skill. In fact it seemed that the unit Andrew had been assigned to was more than capable of fending off this particular Highland unit. Andrew soon found himself squared off against two Highlanders. He managed to fend them both off for a long time, playing a defence as offence tactic. But he wasn't able to get rid of one long enough to get the other, and soon it seemed he would be overwhelmed...
Then he heard the bloodcurdling scream. He chanced a look up as one of the Highland soldiers fell to the ground, he didn't see what had happened to him, but looking up at the other soldier...he had fled. He looked up at his rescuer, and saw the less-than-happy face of Elaine. She simply nodded before running in to help somebody else. Andrew blinked, then remembered he was on a battlefield and got back up swiftly. He didn't dare look at the soldier Elaine had slain, for fear he would lose his breakfast on the battlefield. He had just gotten back into the action when he saw the most peculiar sight...
A series of multi-coloured Lightning Bolts crashing into an enemy unit. He looked flabbergasted as he turned to see where the magic had come from...he saw Avara standing on top of a hill. He looked down at the scene, and slowly turned away and walked off without a word. Andrew scratched his head...I don't think I'll ever understand that guy.
He scanned the battlefield again, he saw that Flik had managed to persuade the mercenary group to switch over to the side of Muse, and the Matilda Knights had also arrived to help. Things were looking good. Until he heard something being shouted...
"Miklotov! Gorudo has ordered a full retreat of the Matilda Knights!"
"What? We cannot simple abandon..."
"That's a direct order."
"Damn...."
Andrew saw Flik look over in disbelief. "How can he just abandon us like that?" he yelled.
Andrew was too busy taking out another Highland soldier to answer. It continued like this for a while, until...
"Full retreat!" Came the voice of Solon Jhee.
Andrew stopped his sword swing short of a Highlander's neck. His eyes looked grateful as he ran off. But Andrew looked confused...A full retreat? Why? I don't get that reasoning...there's something planned in all this, I just know it!
---
Andrew slept peacefully that night. Muse City was safe for now. The next morning seemed to be a peaceful one. The citizens of Muse were gossiping about the battle...about the victory. He had decided to visit Lady Anabelle to talk of the war. It was night fall when Andrew was ready to go, but before he could he saw Riou walking down the stairs, Nanami close behind
"Hey Riou, Nanami, where you off to?" He asked.
"Going to see Lady Anabelle...about Master Genkaku." Nanami answered.
"What a coincidence, I was going to see Anabelle too. Might as well go together eh?"
They nodded, when Andrew looked behind them. "Where's Jowy gone?"
They shrugged, which worried Andrew a little bit. Maybe he's gone on ahead?
They walked together to the city hall. The clerk was nicer this time around. "Lady Anabelle is expecting you, your friend already went ahead."
This seemed to confuse Riou and Nanami. But Andrew didn't notice. "You two go on ahead, I'll wait outside for my turn."
Riou and Nanami left to enter Anabelle's room. Andrew walked back outside. The air was especially crisp that night, and Andrew savoured its freshness. It was very quiet outside. A little...too quiet. I don't like it.
Then he heard footsteps coming around the corner. Andrew decided to see who it was, and he saw a person running. The person never saw Andrew and ran right into him. Andrew was knocked back a step, but this allowed him to see who it was.
Jowy? What's he doing...what the hell?!?
Andrew pointed to the knife in Jowy's hand...the blood stained knife in Jowy's hand.
"What the hell have you done?"
Andrew unsheathed his sword and pointed it right at Jowy...
---
Meanwhile...at Leona's place
A very flustered Elaine was tearing up her room. "ARRGH!!! Where's my Silver Knife gone?!? Who took it!?!?"
---
Jowy finally answered. "I did what had to be done...excuse me."
Andrew didn't move. "I'm not moving until you tell me what's going on."
Jowy shrugged. "Have it your way then...Kage."
Andrew never saw it coming, but he certainly felt it. A heavy blow to the back of his head knocked him clean to the ground, unconscious. The last thing he heard before passing out was Jowy...
"Sorry...I'm just doing what I think is right."
Jowy ran away from the scene...and soon after Muse City was invaded by the Highland Army...
---
Whoo! I swore I'd get this all in one chapter. What happens next? Well, that's another chapter as our heroes flee Muse City...with some interesting results.
